Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Comores Infos
Published on 2024-02-26 22:20:38
During the opening ceremony of the MC13, Trade Ministers unanimously praised the accession of the Comoros and Timor-Leste to the WTO, approved in the presence of Comorian President Azali Assoumani and Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta. The Emirati Minister of Foreign Trade and President of the MC13, Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, as well as Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala were also present at this ceremony. The two Accession Protocols were officially signed at the end of the ceremony.
In her speech to the ministers, DG Okonjo-Iweala paid special tribute to the governments of both countries for “this historic achievement” and for undertaking significant internal reform programs to accelerate economic growth despite very difficult circumstances. Twenty-two other countries are seeking to follow in their footsteps – many of them were present in Abu Dhabi, including a significant delegation from the Arab world. The Comoros and Timor-Leste will bring the total number of WTO members to 166. “We look forward to adding to this number in the years to come,” said Director-General Okonjo-Iweala.
President Assoumani said: “The accession of the Comoros to the WTO will be extremely beneficial for our entire economy, for public and private enterprises, and for consumers. It will contribute to trade diversification and to our country’s partnership efforts, to its integration into regional, continental, and global value chains. Through accession to the WTO, my country will achieve its objectives.”
President Ramos-Horta said: “Being a member of the WTO is essential to unleash the potential of our economy in several sectors. We are committed to diversify our economy, becoming part of the global economy value chain, and improving the lives of our population through trade.”
Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi said: “The decisions we have just made regarding the accession of the Comoros – an island LDC in Africa – and the accession of Timor-Leste – an island LDC in Asia – demonstrate the world’s confidence in the WTO and the multilateral trade system. I am confident that through their future accession to the WTO, the Comoros and Timor-Leste will have stable and predictable frameworks for economic engagement with other nations, which will boost trade, growth, and prosperity.”
The two governments will now submit their Protocols for ratification by their respective legislative assemblies. In accordance with WTO rules, the Comoros and Timor-Leste will become WTO members 30 days after depositing the instruments of acceptance of the Protocol.
Read the original article(French) on Comores Infos
